Clearwater Beach hotels

Residence Inn by Marriott is one of the best hotels in Clearwater for exploring the city. It’s minutes from the beach, and just as close to Coachman Park, BayCare Ballpark, and Central Park Performing Arts Center.

If you’re heading to the beach, I recommend first stopping at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. It’s a Central Florida staple that offers a refreshingly cool treat any time of year. Speaking of cool, there’s nothing better than lounging by the hotel’s outdoor pool when the weather heats up.

I love that the suites have pull-out sofa beds and many come with fully equipped kitchens. I also appreciate the complimentary breakfast buffet, which lets you grab a quick yet hearty breakfast before you start exploring the area.

Bottomless breakfast beverages – say that three times fast and you’ll be transported to Wyndham Grand’s Ocean Hai restaurant. This Gulf-front oasis has the Clearwater Bay as a neighbor, surrounding you with water views at nearly every turn.

Most guestrooms have Gulf or Intracoastal-view rooms, along with balconies or patios. It’s way too easy to lose track of time gazing out at the horizon here, where blue skies meet azure waters.

Another equally dreamy sight is the back of your eyelids when relaxing on the massage tables at the Pallavi luxury spa. Along with couples’ massages, it also has a couples’ spa tub and experience shower, making the Wyndham Grand one of the best hotels in Clearwater for a romantic getaway. A solo traveler will find just as much serenity here though, with a wide range of treatments on the spa menu.

Despite being one of the best luxury hotels in Clearwater, Sandpearl Resort is known for its laid-back vibe. It has 700 feet of private coastline, making this a firm favorite with beach lovers.

The one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites are delightfully spacious; the separate dining area, full kitchen, and living room really provide that home-away-from-home feeling. The regular guestrooms and junior suites, meanwhile, come with private furnished balconies, providing the ideal spot to unwind with a drink in hand.

One perk that makes this one of the best hotels in Clearwater is its diverse array of experiences. From the zero-entry lagoon pool and kids’ club to the spa and private marina, Sandpearl Resort is a great all-ages place to vacation on Clearwater Beach.

All 230 guestrooms at the Opal Sands Resort have views of the Gulf of Mexico. In keeping with the theme, the hotel’s Sandbar has live music and delicious cocktails in a wow-worthy beachfront setting. The suites are lovely too. Some rooms come with coffee bars, others wet bars, but all have private balconies.

Any time I’m on the Gulf, fish tacos are a must. SeaGuini, just one of the hotel’s restaurants, has a daily fresh catch. On days when swimming along the shoreline works up a bigger appetite, the fried grouper sandwich is always a great choice.

From the spa to the pool, I love how much there is to see in this hotel – including a fantastic collection of original artworks by local painter Christopher Still.

Clearwater Beach’s Hyatt Regency offers a great mix of resort and residential living. The rooms and suites all come with that Gulf Coast beach-themed decor, with the addition of home-like conveniences including kitchens or kitchenettes, furnished balconies, and bathrooms with double vanities.

The poolside suites are my favorite, and going for evening swims just after sunset are some of my fondest Florida memories. Outside of the hotel’s 255 guestrooms, the eighth-floor pool deck is a prime spot.

Its Tropico Rooftop Cantina serves delicious Latin-influenced dishes, along with stellar views. On the second floor, SHOR American Seafood Grill has excellent eats – I love the blue crab fries and the bronzed mahi sandwich.

On the go, I really appreciate the market near the lobby, where you can pick up fresh fruit, Starbucks coffee, and pastries that make perfect snacks for the beach.

As one of the best boutique hotels in Clearwater, The Avalon Club keeps things intimate with fewer than 35 guestrooms. These luxurious suites have the feel of your own little beachside home.

Spacious living areas, fully-equipped kitchens, multiple bathrooms, and even in-room laundry machines provide everything you need for a comfortable and convenient stay. An eight-story building, it’s one of the lower-rise luxury accommodations in the area. Still, this remains one of the best hotels in Clearwater thanks to the clever way it utilizes space.

The fifth-floor rooftop pool deck has a great bar where you can soak up the sun. Meanwhile, the Coffee Lounge spans two floors for ultimate relaxation in the shade. And when the beach beckons, The Avalon Club has complimentary loungers, umbrellas, beach towels, and boogie boards for guests.

Sunset viewings on Pier 60 are the main event every night in Clearwater. And there’s nowhere that puts you closer to the action than Pier House 60 Clearwater Beach Marina Hotel. Watch the sunset from its rooftop bar, Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest, where I’ll gladly accept the free sunset shot.

The Water View and North Beach rooms are my favorite because you can catch glimpses of the sunset without having to venture into the crowds. As one of the best hotels in Clearwater, it’s easy to plan your days here. A free continental breakfast in the morning, a few hours in the heated swimming pool, and a nightcap during the sunset is a successful schedule in my book.

For laid-back vacations conveniently located near the bustling beach hub, Pier House 60 is my top pick.

The Edge Hotel has three things that make it one of the best hotels in Clearwater. First off, it's got the largest rooftop bar in the area. Secondly, it has the only glass-wall pool in Clearwater Beach. Finally, a massive bar and pool combine to offer two of the best places to watch the sunset.

But the Edge is so much more than a place for diving and drinking. The hotel’s relaxing guestrooms were built for lazy days. Private balconies, spacious showers, and comfortable beds ensure vacation mode is activated the moment check-in is complete.

As an added bonus, Edge Hotel offers guests two passes to Splash Harbour, the local waterpark. Trust me when I say the Pirate Plunge Body Slide and Smugglers Run Water Slide are epic.

It’s easy to see why the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is one of the best hotels in Clearwater. Few things can tempt a traveler away from the gorgeous Gulf shore, but this place certainly can. The relaxing retreat has a steam room, sauna, and so many indulgent spa services it’s difficult to choose just one massage or body treatment.

The JW Kids’ Club is another amenity I wish more hotels had. Dropping the kids off for a play date means I can swim in the 11th-floor swimming pool, explore Clearwater solo, or sit at the rooftop restaurant and bar to drink in the views.

The guestrooms don’t disappoint either. From Intracoastal and beach views to skyline vistas, every window offers an awesome sight. Meanwhile, the multi-bedroom suites are so comfortable, they’ll feel like home in a matter of minutes.

Sheraton Sand Key Resort’s location makes it one of the best hotels in Clearwater for beachgoers. Its front yard is Sand Key Park, a large beach park across the Clearwater Pass from Clearwater Beach proper. Think of it as a less crowded, more natural expanse of sandy shoreline.

Staying on a separate key from Clearwater Beach doesn’t mean missing out on Clearwater’s attractions though. Complimentary transportation on the PSTA Jolley Trolley and bicycle rentals are provided.

You’ll find coastal cuisine and local beer on tap at the hotel’s restaurants. Pair O’Dice Brewing Company, established in Clearwater, brewed an exclusive Turtle Ale for Sand Key which is crisp and cool on a hot day. The Gulf-view suites have just enough room to relax on a rainy afternoon, but when the sun is out, you’ll find me with the kids at the children’s pool or the oceanfront all-ages pool.